Fire protection unit

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for fire protection of a fixed space using a fire protection unit having a fixed volume of firefighting agent; a manifold coupled to the fixed volume and an actuator axially aligned with the manifold to pressurize the firefighting agent within the manifold for discharge and dispersion to protect the fixed space.

PRIORITY DATA & INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is a 35 U.S.C. § 371 application of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2015/059792 filed Nov. 9, 2015, which claims thebenefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/077,080, filed Nov. 7, 2014, each of which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to fire protection units orassemblies to implement, install, and/or build upon to provide fireprotection systems and methods for addressing fires for fixed space fireprotection.

BACKGROUND ART

Fire protection of any defined space, area, volume, room, or occupancycan present its own design challenges for fire protection system andequipment designers and/or manufacturers. Generally, the designer mustconsider how the space to be protected, including its physical location,its dimensions, its application or use, and/or the occupants or itemswithin the space, can impact fire protection system design and/orperformance. Depending upon the location of the space to be protected,fire protection system designs may be limited or constrained by theavailability of electrical power and/or firefighting agents or fluidssuch as water. Spaces, such as for example, tunnels may be in locations,or have areas therein, in which it is difficult to supply water forfirefighting or electricity for system components. Known solutions forinstallations having limited water may include self-contained, centralsupplies of firefighting agent or fluid, such as for example acentralized storage tank of water for use in a fixed deluge firefightingsystems for road tunnels. Such a limited supply of firefighting fluidcan raise other design issues or complexities for sufficient fireprotection, such as for example, supply depletion due to applicationrates of the firefighting fluid and/or duration of system operation.Alternatively, if the protected space is located in an area where waterand power are readily available, the space may be in an area where it isundesirable to have a large volume of water discharged or distributed toaddress a fire due to the potential for costly water damage. Accordinglythe objective for the system designer may be to provide fire protectionwith a minimal amount of water.

The physical dimensions and/or configuration of the occupancy must alsobe considered in fire protection. For example, designers must considerthe length, area, and/or volume over which a firefighting agent or fluidis to be dispersed, distributed or applied. If the space to be protectedis relatively small, such as for example the space above a stove orfryer as compared to a storage warehouse, it may not be cost effectiveto install a complex piping system to deliver firefighting fluid to oneor two devices, such as for example, nozzles.

The protected space may present possible obstructions to thefirefighting fluid distribution and/or application. For example, storagewarehouses or spaces can present challenges for owners, operators,designers and/or installers to provide the appropriate based spray typesprinkler systems for the warehoused items or its occupants from floorto ceiling. In storage warehouses protected by automatic sprinklerslocated at the ceiling above storage racks and commodities, designersare concerned with the application of water including both itsdistribution and penetration, to address storage fires with suppressionor control, which may initiate at the floor of the occupancy and beobscured by the storage or the storage racks. Water distribution densityrequirements, system hydraulics, sprinkler spacing, and obstructions dueto the commodity itself and/or the racks structures upon which thecommodity is stored, can place design or operating constraints on thefire protection system and impact its performance. One known solution toaddress fire protection of rack storage systems is to employ “in-rack”sprinklers at regular height intervals throughout the storage racksystem with water supply lines running along or parallel to the storageracks to provide water to the in-rack sprinklers. However, currentlyavailable in-rack sprinklers have their own disadvantages, whichinclude: (1) installation and material costs, (2) loss of rackadjustment flexibility, (3) potential for damage due to freezing watersupply pipes, and (4) excess water damage from sprinkler discharge.

Regardless of the type of space being protected, fire protection systemdesigners must consider the application or use of the space and howpeople or equipment may operate in the space and impact, interfere ormodify operation of the system and/or its components overtime. Systemdesigners may have to consider the durability and exposure of systemcomponents to impact forces during normal operations within the space.For example, warehouses in which forklifts, palletized commodities orother stored items are frequently moved about, designers, installers andmaintenance personnel are concerned with minimizing damage to thecomponents of the fire protection system and the fluid supply lines.

Additionally, depending upon the application or use of the protectedoccupancy, there may be a need to frequently change or expand the fireprotection system. Thus, designers need to consider the ease in which asystem can be maintained, altered and/or expanded. For example, standardspray type fire protection systems can be difficult to change or expanddue to time and materials to alter or expand the fluid supply piping orthe need to completely shut down the fire protection system to make thedesired changes.

Effective and efficient fire protection can be difficult to achieve dueto the shape and size of the materials, items or equipment beingprotected by the system. For example, one issue in the protection ofboats stored dry in racks is that it can be difficult to efficientlyapply water in the event of a fire. As an initial matter, the boats canbe of varying size so it can be difficult to install protection devicesuniformly to suit all storage situations. Moreover, due to the nature ofa boat hull, there is the potential for discharged water to accumulatein the hulls of the boats, which can present an added hazard as thecollected water can overload the storage racks. Furthermore, for otherfire protection hazards, it may be desirable to avoid the discharge ofwater into the area due to the operative use of the area, such as, datarooms and records storage. Accordingly, for some applications it may bedesirable to use a firefighting agent other than water. One knownalternative includes the use of hypoxic air to reduce the ability forfires to start and/or continue to burn. The problems with this solutioninclude: (a) the difficulty in maintaining an adequate envelope orsealing over the area of application to prevent the introduction ofexternal oxygen which may reignite a fire; and (b) the health safetyrisk to workers due to a reduced oxygen environment.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

It is desirable to have fire protection systems and methods whichaddress the described design concerns and considerations. A preferredfire protection unit for independent installation, position and/oroperation to address a fire is provided. Preferred embodiments of theunit can detect and address fires as independent units; oralternatively, the units can be interconnected and/or controlled foraddressing a fire collectively. Accordingly, preferred fire protectionsystems and methods for the protection of a fixed space employing thepreferred fire protection units are provided. As used herein, a “fixedspace” is defined as a bound area or volume partially or completelyenclosed, outlined or compartmentalized by a structure or formation.Accordingly, a fixed space includes, but is not limited to, warehouses;tunnels; equipment rooms; storage occupancies, storage bays, storagecompartments, or portions thereof including storage compartments orracks; kitchens; concealed spaces attics, vents, ducts or portionsthereof; land, air, or water vehicle storage facilities or portionsthereof including garages, hangers, or dry dock boat rack storagefacilities and/or air, land or water vehicle interiors or compartmentsincluding cargo vessels and their holding areas, boat or ship hulls,automobile interiors, aircraft cabins and any other fixed space in whichthe preferred units can be installed in a manner described herein.

Preferred embodiments of the unit include a discrete fixed volume offirefighting agent and provide for its independent discharge,distribution and/or dispersion for addressing and more preferablysuppression of a fire in the protection of a fixed space. One preferredembodiment of a fire protection unit includes an actuator; a fixedvolume supply of compressed gas coupled to the actuator for controlledrelease of the compressed gas; a fixed volume source of firefightingagent coupled to the supply of compressed gas; and a manifold coupled tothe firefighting agent for dispersing the agent, the manifold defining alongitudinal axis, an internal passageway and a plurality of openings influid communication with the internal passageway and spaced apart alongthe manifold for distribution of the firefighting agent upon operationof the actuator to release the compressed gas supply and pressurize themanifold with the agent along the manifold. In an alternate embodiment,the preferred fire protection unit includes a stored volume offirefighting agent; a manifold coupled to the stored volume, themanifold defining a longitudinal axis and an internal passageway; and anactuator axially aligned along the manifold. In one embodiment thefirefighting agent is stored at an operating pressure of the unit andmore preferably stored in the manifold. To pressurize the firefightingagent, the fire protection unit can includes a propellant supply. Forpreferred embodiments of the fire protection unit described herein, thefirefighting agent is preferably a dry chemical agent.

Because preferred embodiments of the fire protection unit include theirown source of firefighting agent, the units can be positioned, operatedindividually and collectively in any manner to protect a fixed space ina desired manner. A fire protection system preferably includes acontroller, at least one fire detector in communication with thecontroller; and a plurality of a plurality of fire units coupled to thecontroller. The plurality of fire protection units of preferred systems,can be connected in series and alternatively or additionally in serieswith one another and the controller. Preferably, the detector signalsthe controller at an incipient stage of a fire for operating theactuator provide an early response of the system to a fire. Preferredmethods fire protection are provided in which the fire protection unitsare independently positioned for fire protection of a fixed space. Inone preferred embodiment of fire protection of a fixed space, the methodincludes obtaining at least one fire protection unit including anactuator and a fixed volume of firefighting agent; and providing the atleast one fire protection unit to protect the fixed space. One preferredembodiment includes providing a controller providing at least one firedetector in communication with the controller; and providing a pluralityof the fire protection units coupled to the controller, each of the fireprotection units including the fixed volume of firefighting agent and amanifold defining a longitudinal axis and an internal passageway, theactuator being arranged to pressurize the internal passageway of themanifold with the firefighting agent. In another preferred method, afire protection unit is positioned so as to be shield a distributionmanifold of the protection unit behind a structural member of the space.The preferred method includes pressurizing the manifold with a fixedfirefighting agent supply volume and a fixed propellant supply volume toprotect the fixed space.

Given the construction of the units and their flexibility in which theunits can be installed, positioned and interconnected. The fireprotection units can be installed and deployed to address the variousdesign consideration that arise for system protection of fixed spaces.For system assembly expansion, it is believed that the units can bedeployed to address many of the concerns or problems associated withfire protection of tunnels, equipment rooms or vehicle storagefacilities as previously described. For example, because the preferredunit includes its own volume of propellant and firefighting agent, theunit can be installed in area with limited access to water.Additionally, because the unit can be positioned and its operationcontrolled, concerns about uncontrollably depleting the system supply ofagent is minimized or eliminated. Moreover, because the preferredsystems and units use controlled volumes of dispersed agent and in someembodiments a dry agent, there is no concern about collecting largevolumes of water in the compartments of the stored commodities, vehiclesor equipment.

The units can be individually positioned to be shielded in order toavoid impact damage from moving equipment, personnel or commodities in agiven space application. Additionally, because the units can beindependently positioned for desired application of the firefightingagent, the units can be positioned to protected commodities, equipmentor other items of varying dimensions or non-uniform shape. This can beparticularly advantageous in protecting large equipment or vehicles suchas boats stored dry in rack-type bays, mining equipment or parkinggarages. This can minimize or eliminate the danger to personnel fromstorage racks overloaded with water collected in the compartments of,for example, the stored boats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutepart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention and, together with the general description given above and thedetailed description given below, serve to explain the features ofexemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be understood that thepreferred embodiments are some examples of the invention as provided bythe appended claims.

FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a fireprotection unit.

FIG. 1B is a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of a fireprotection unit.

FIG. 1C is a schematic view of yet another preferred embodiment of afire protection unit.

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the manifold of the unit of FIG. 1Calong line ID-ID.

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional schematic view of an alternate embodimentof the manifold of FIG. 1C.

FIG. 2A is a pictorial view of a preferred fire protection unitaccording to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a pictorial view of a preferred manifold according to FIG.1C.

FIG. 3 is a schematic embodiment of a preferred fire protection systemusing the units of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIGS. 4A-4C are schematic views of a preferred in-rack installation ofthe system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of a preferred in-rack installation of thefire protection unit of FIG. 2A.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are pictorial views of a preferred in-rack installationof the fire protection unit of FIG. 1B.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Schematically shown in FIG. 1A is a preferred embodiment of a fireprotection unit 10 for independently positioning or mounting in adesired location to address a fire and provide fire protection of afixed space. The unit 10 preferably addresses a fire by suppression butcan be alternatively configured for fire control. The preferred fireprotection unit 10 includes an actuator 12, a propellant source 14, asource of firefighting agent 16, and a manifold 18 for the distributionof the firefighting agent to address a fire. Accordingly, preferredembodiments of the units 10 includes its own separate, individual ordiscrete fixed volume supplies of propellant and agent 14, 16. Theactuator 12 is coupled to the preferably fixed volume of propellant 14to control the release of the propellant 14. The actuator 12 can controlthe release of the propellant by a fluid control device 22, such as forexample, a control valve or rupturable disc coupled to the actuator 12and preferably disposed between the propellant 14 and the agent 16. Thepropellant 14 is preferably connected or coupled to the fixed volume offirefighting agent 16 to pressurize and disperse the agent 16. Themanifold 18 is coupled to and in preferably controlled fluidcommunication with the firefighting agent 16 for distribution and/ordispersion of the agent. The unit 10 can include, incorporate, or becoupled to or associated with a fire detector 20 for detection of afire. Upon detection of a fire by the detector 20, the actuator 12 issignaled to operate to control release of the propellant 14 forpressurizing the manifold 18 with the firefighting agent 16. Thepressurized firefighting agent 16 is dispersed or distributed by themanifold 18 to address and more preferably suppress the detected fire.Accordingly, preferred embodiments of the unit 10 are preferably modularto provide fire protection in a manner described herein.

The actuator 12 preferably includes an electronically operated actuatorwhich can be operated by an appropriately configured control oroperating signal. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator 12 can includea solenoid for translating a pin or other internal mechanism to operatethe fluid control device 22. The actuator 12 can be combined with orembodied in the fluid control device 22. For example, the actuator 12can be embodied as a Protracting Actuating Device (PAD) or anelectrically operated solenoid valve. The preferred actuator 12preferably includes a mechanical backup such that the actuator can beoperated by an appropriate thermally responsive element to provide foralternate actuation or more preferably secondary actuation or back-upactuation to the primary electrical actuation. A preferred mechanicalback-up would include a thermal element in combination with a mechanicalblock or seal that prevents the actuator 12 from operating. Uponexposure to sufficient heat and/or control signal, the thermal elementwould respond to release or remove the mechanical block to permit theactuator 12 to operate. Accordingly, heat from a fire can also actuate aunit 10 as a back-up response in the absence of an appropriate controlsignal.

Preferred embodiments of the unit 10 can be coupled or connected to acentralized power source or alternatively have its individual own powersource and/or backup power supply.

In the preferred unit 10 of FIG. 1A, the propellant 14 and firefightingagent 16 are separately housed in their own pressure vessels or storagevolumes. Alternatively, the propellant and firefighting agent can beintegrated into a single vessel 14′, 16′, as seen for example in theunit 10′ of FIG. 1B, and coupled to the actuator 12 for controlledrelease to the manifold 18. Accordingly, the firefighting agent 16 canbe stored under pressure for release at a desired operating pressure ofthe unit 10′. Referring again to FIG. 1A, the propellant 14 ispreferably a fixed volume of a compressed gas, such as for examplenitrogen, which defines a preferred internal pressure, dischargepressure and supply duration. Alternative exemplary gases for use as apropellant include, for example, carbon dioxide. Further in thealternative, the propellant 14 can include an explosive propellanthaving a fuel and an ignition, such as for example a wick, coupled tothe actuator to create an explosion to eject the firefighting agent. Theexplosive propellant can provide for hybrid actuation includingelectronic ignition and thermal ignition of the wick, for example. Thepropellant 14 is coupled with the actuator 12 such that when theactuator 12 receives an appropriate operating signal, the actuatoroperates to release the compressed gas or other propellant forpressurizing the firefighting agent 16. The firefighting agent ispreferably a fixed volume of dry powder or chemical agent, but mayalternatively be embodied as a liquid agent capable of dispersion by anappropriate propellant. An example of liquid agent can be water or amore preferred wet agent such as “LVS Wet Chemical Agent” from Ansul inMarinette, Wis., shown and described in Tyco Fire Suppression & BuildingProducts Data/Specification Form No. F-2010249 (2010). The preferred dryagent preferably includes a dry suppressant preferably providing freezeresistance, easy cleanup, minimal safety impacts, and elimination orreduction of water damage risk, etc. The alternative wet agent 16 is awet suppressant that can be used for adherence to the products beingprotected. This may be particularly helpful in providing a prophylacticfire protection effect.

Shown in FIG. 2A is one preferred embodiment of the unit 10. The unit ispreferably a fully integrated unit with its own actuator 12, propellant14, firefighting agent 16 and manifold 18. The unit 10 is furtherpreferably configured for portability, ease of installation and removalin a manner described herein. Accordingly, the components of thepreferred unit 10 are preferably axially aligned to allow for ease inhandling and installation. More specifically, the actuator 12,compressed gas supply 14, agent 16 and manifold 18 are substantiallyaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis A-A.

The manifold 18 is coupled to the firefighting agent 16 for dispersingthe agent. The preferred manifold 18 preferably includes or is formedfrom a tubular member 18 a defining an internal passageway 18 b, as seenin FIG. 1A, for axial alignment along the longitudinal axis A-A.Preferably formed along the tubular member 18 a are a plurality ofopenings 18 c (18 c 1, 18 c 2, 18 c 3, 18 c 4 . . . 18 ci) in fluidcommunication with the internal passageway 18 b. The openings 18 c arepreferably spaced apart linearly and/or angularly along and about thetubular member 18 a. Upon operation of the actuator 12, the gaspropellant 14 is released to energize the firefighting agent 16 andpressurize the internal passageway 18 b of the manifold 18. Thefirefighting agent is ejected from out of the openings 18 c fordistribution. The manifold defines an axial length and cross-sectionalarea along the longitudinal axis such that the manifold 18 can besufficiently pressurized by the propellant 14 or pressurized agent 16′for sufficient distribution from the openings 18 c to address and morepreferably suppress a fire.

To further facilitate distribution of the firefighting agent, theopenings 18 c define a desired discharge characteristic such as, forexample, a working discharge pressure, flow, and/or discharge densitysufficient to address and more preferably suppress a fire. For examplereferring again to FIG. 1A, each of the openings 18 c is preferablycircular at the external surface of the tubular member 18 a having adiameter ranging from about 1/16 inch to about ⅛ inch. The openings 18 ccan define alternate geometries at the external surface of the tubularmember 18 a such as, for example, triangular, rectangular, rectilinear,or oblong provided the opening delivers the desired dischargecharacteristics.

To protect the manifold 18 and its internals from dust and/or debris,blow off caps or plugs can be disposed within the openings 18 c of themanifold. Upon actuation, the operating pressure within the manifoldwould be sufficient to blow off the cap or plugs. Accordingly, the unitsare preferably sealed but more preferably do not require a fluid tightseal. In one preferred embodiment, the manifold 18 can include one ormore tubes or tubular members 24 (24 a, 24 b, 24 c) coupled to theplurality of openings 18 c of the manifold 18. Alternatively oradditionally, one or more nozzles and preferably mist-type nozzles canbe coupled to the openings 18 c or tubes 24 for distribution and/oratomization of the agent. The preferred embodiments of the manifold showmultiple openings 18 c, but the manifold can alternatively include orconsist of a single opening 18 c provided the single opening providesthe desired discharge characteristics to effectively address and morepreferably suppress a fire.

Shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D is an alternate embodiment of the unit 10having a manifold 18′ in which the tubular member 18 a can serve as astorage tube or volume for the firefighting agent 16. A pressurizingtube 19 preferably runs or extends internally to the tubular member 18 afor controlled pressurization of the tubular member 18 a upon actuation.The internal pressurizing tube 19 is coupled to the propellant 14 viathe fluid control device 22 to carry the preferred pressurized gas tothe tubular member 18 a. The internal tube 19 includes one or moreopenings or holes for discharging the propellant within the tubularmember 18 a. The tubular member 18 a is appropriately sealed or coveredin the unactuated state of the unit 10 to permit the space between thetubular member 18 a and the inner pressurizing tube 19 to besufficiently pressurized to discharge and/or disperse the firefightingagent 16 to address and more preferably suppress a fire. The tubularmember 18 a can be configured in any manner as previously describedprovided that it can receive the pressurizing tube 19 and store thefirefighting agent 16. For example, shown in FIG. 1E is an alternateembodiment of the manifold 18 with pressurizing tube 19 in which aprotective blow-off shield, blow off cap or plug 24′ is disposed withinthe openings 18 c. An exemplary embodiment of an alternativelyconfigured manifold 18′ is shown in FIG. 2B.

The unit 10 preferably operates directly or indirectly in response to afire detection signal. In one preferred embodiment of the unit 10, themanifold 18 includes or incorporates a fire detector 20. The firedetector 20 is preferably configured for performing a self-test incombination with the actuator 12. In an exemplary embodiment, thedetector can generate a simulated or test signal to verify properdetection. For example, the detector 20 can be embodied as a heatdetector with a heating element disposed adjacent to a heat sensorcircuit.

An exemplary heat detector is shown and described in SIMPLEX TechnicalData Sheet No. S4098-0019-12 entitled, “True ALARM® Analog Sensing.” Theheating element can be heated by an appropriate control circuit toactivate the heat sensor circuit. Alternatively, the heat detectioncircuit can be directly activated by the electrical signal. Further inthe alternative, the fire detector 20 can include or be embodied as anoptional photo-electric or ionization detector using electronicactivation of the input portion of its associated input. In anotherembodiment, the detector 20 is embodied as a Linear Heat Detection: LHD.The actuator 12 can be configured for direct actuation by the LHD.

Actuation of the unit 10 can be initiated by an appropriate controlsignal delivered to the actuator 12. Preferred embodiments of the unit10 and systems incorporating the unit 10 can include a centralizedcontroller 30 for controlled operation of one or more fire protectionunits 10. Shown in FIG. 3 is a central controller 30 for controlling oneor more units 10 (10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 10 e, 10 f). The controller 30includes an output line 32 a for communicating an appropriate controlsignal CS to the one or more units 10 and further preferably includes aninput line 32 b for receipt and processing of a fire detection signal DSfrom the one or more fire detectors 20, shown as preferably integratedwith a corresponding unit. Upon detection of a fire by one or moredetectors (20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 20 e) the signal is sent to thecentral controller 30. The central controller 30 processes the detectionsignal to preferably identify and selectively address units 10 foroperation. An exemplary embodiment of a controller 30 for use with theunit 10 is shown and described in SIMPLEX Product Data Sheet,S4100-0031-25, “4199 Fire Control Panels: Addressable Fire Detection andControl Basic Modules and Accessories” (November 2013). The preferredcontroller 30 provides for centralized control and operation of theunits 10. The controller 30 more preferably provides for self-testing ofthe units in a manner as previously described. In addition, the unit 10can monitor, preferably including a sensor in communication with thecontroller 30 to monitor, release of the propellant 14 to communicateany sensed signal indicating propellant release. Accordingly, thepreferred controller 30 provides for supervision of the unit 10. Inanother preferred aspect, the centralized controller 30 provides forremote control, supervision, testing and reporting of the system andunit operation.

As shown, multiple fire protection units 10 a, 10 c, 10 e can be coupledto the controller 30 in series and/or parallel. Alternatively or inaddition, to expand the number of units 10 coupled to the controller 30,units 10 can be coupled to one another in series. Accordingly, preferredsystem installations of the units 10 can be scaled in size by theaddition or removal of units to suit a desired application, location orposition. As shown, each unit 10 can include a first connector and morepreferably a first end connector 26 a and a second connector and morepreferably a second end connector 26 b for joining the units in seriesand/or parallel to one another. The connectors 26 a, 26 b preferablycarry appropriate signaling or communication signals unit-to-unit andthrough the unit 10 to its electrical components, e.g., actuator ordetector. Preferred communication signals include one or more of: alarmsignals, actuation signal(s), supervision signals, detection signals,propellant or agent release signals, status signals, and/or faultsignals or conditions. The units and preferred connectors 26 a, 26 bpreferably employ mineral-insulated copper-clad (MICC) cable for unit tounit interconnection to provide preferred fire resistance. So long asthe fire protection units 10 are electrically interconnected to oneanother and the preferred controller 30, preferred system installationsare provided in which the system provides fire protection of a fixedspace yet each fire protection units can be individually positioned toprovide the desired fire protection for the fixed space. Thisflexibility can present an installation advantage over systems having acentral supply of firefighting agent in which the distribution devicesor sprinkler devices are constrained by the fluid supply piping.

Accordingly, the preferred construction, installation and centralizedselective control and operation of the units 10 can provide forpreferred systems and methods of fire protection of a fixed space.Examples of such fixed spaces for fire protection include, but is notlimited to, warehouses; storage occupancies, storage bays, storagecompartments, or portions thereof including storage compartments orracks; land, air, or water vehicle storage facilities or portionsthereof including garages, hangers, or dry dock boat rack storagefacilities and/or air, land or water vehicle interiors or compartmentsincluding cargo vessels and their holding areas, boat or ship hulls,automobile interiors, aircraft cabins and any other fixed space in whichthe preferred fire protection units 10 can be installed in a mannerdescribed herein. The storage spaces or occupancies can provide for thestorage of equipment or components including for example, batteries,commodities of varying classification, or larger stored items such asfor example, vehicles and their component parts. Other fixed spaces inwhich the fire protection units 10 can be installed include areas withlimited access or clearance with limited foot traffic, such as forexample, kitchens, vents, ducts, mines, tunnels, equipment rooms orconcealed spaces, attic spaces or portions thereof.

Shown in FIGS. 4A-4C is an example of a system installation for theprotection of a storage bay of commodities in a rack storageconfiguration. The installation includes units 10 (10 a-10 h) installedfor selective operation by the controller 30 to provide for a preferredin-rack storage arrangement of the fire protection units. The controller30 can be configured and/or programmed to address a detected in-rackfire in a preferred manner. For example, the controller 30 can define analgorithm in which to identify and select fire protection units 10 foroperation. In one preferred algorithm, the controller 30 and system areconfigured for early detection and suppression of a detected fire.Moreover the controller 30 is preferably programmed to activate units 10in zones and/or bays adjacent to, and in particular over or above thestorage shelf or location in the rack where the fire was detected.

To illustrate the independent positioning of the units 10 to address theproblem of impact damage from moved commodities or equipment, the fireprotection units 10 are preferably mounted on the frame of the rackstorage so as to be “hidden” or protected by the frame members of thestorage rack. More particularly, the preferred axially alignedcomponents of the units 10 are preferably sized for being within thefootprint or shadow of the surface area defined by the frame members,while being sufficiently sized to provide effective fire protection, andmore preferably fire suppression. Accordingly, where the horizontalmembers define a length L and a width W as shown in FIGS. 4A-4C, theunits 10 define a length and maximum width to preferably fit within theboundary defined by the length L and width W of the horizontal member.Shown in FIG. 5 is a preferred in-rack installation of the preferredunit 10 shown in FIG. 2A along a horizontal member. Alternatively, oneor more of the components of the units 10 can be sized to fit within thefootprint or shadow of the length L′ and width W′ of the verticalmembers of the rack storage. Shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is a preferredin-rack installation of the preferred unit 10 shown in FIG. 1B in whichthe manifold 18 is mounted to the horizontal member of the rack and theagent 16 is mounted to a vertical member. By mounting the units 10 tothe framework of the rack storage, the racks can be pre-wired forinterconnection with the preferred connectors 26 a, 26 b of the units10. This can facilitate easy installation and change out of the units 10at a reduced labor and/or material cost. Moreover, pre-wiring allows formodular installation and change out of units 10 with their preferablydiscrete actuators and firefighting agent supplies, which can providefor flexibility to easily change or alter storage arrangements and/oralter or expand the fire protection system. Furthermore, by facilitatingeasy change out and/or addition of units 10, complete system shutdowncan be avoided or greatly minimized.

Regardless of the particular orientation of the unit components 16, 18,the units are preferably sized for the protection of the volume or thecompartment of the rack storage being protected by the unit 10. Forexample, where the members of one compartment of the rack storage definefixed space, the volume of agent and propellant are sized for deliveryof an appropriate density such, as for example, part of agent per cubicfoot to provided sufficient protection to the fixe space. Accordingly,the units 10 and their individual components, e.g. propellant 14 orfirefighting agent 16, are preferably scalable to facilitate theinstallation and fire protection objectives described herein. In apreferred embodiment and installation of in-rack storage protection, aunit 10 can preferably provide for suppression fire protection of atleast one bay of rack storage, preferably at least two rows of rackstorage and even more preferably at least one row of rack storage.

More generally, the units 10 can be interconnected in series and/or inparallel to provide a fire protection system for any fixed space or anydesired storage or equipment configuration defined by the space in whichthe storage, equipment or other items are to be located. For example,the units 10 can be interconnected to build a fire protection system atany desired storage, ceiling or occupancy height. For example, the units10 can be interconnected and installed to provide preferred storage fireprotection for heights for up to 110 feet or greater. Because thepreferred units 10 can provide for controlled application offirefighting agent, fire protection can be provided, for example, atstorage-to-ceiling clearance distances ranging from 0 feet to 15 feet oreven greater. The preferred firefighting agent 16 of the system 10 canaddress a variety of hazards and more preferably provide for fireprotection of expanded plastic hazards. Additionally or alternatively,the fire protection units 10 can be spaced and positioned to providefire protection for equipment or items that are not uniformly shaped.Accordingly for example, systems can be configured for the protection ofvehicles or equipment of varying sizes and/or shapes.

Preferred methods of fire protection can include obtaining, procuring orassembling a preferred fire protection unit 10 including an actuator 12and a fixed volume of firefighting agent 16; and providing the at leastone fire protection unit to protect the fixed space. One preferredmethod includes providing a controller 30 providing at least one firedetector 20 in communication with the controller; and providing aplurality of the fire protection units 10 coupled to the controller,each of the fire protection units including the fixed volume offirefighting agent and a manifold defining a longitudinal axis and aninternal passageway, the actuator being arranged to pressurize theinternal passageway of the manifold with the firefighting agent.

Given the flexibility in which the units 10 can be installed, scaled andinterconnected for system expansion, it is believed that the units 10can be deployed to address many of the concerns or problems associatedwith fire protection of tunnels, equipment rooms or vehicle storagefacilities as previously described. For example, because the unit 10includes its own volume propellant and firefighting agent, the unit canbe installed in area with limited access to water or other firefightingfluid source. Additionally, because the unit 10 can be mounted and itsoperation controlled, concerns about uncontrollably depleting the systemsupply of agent 16 is minimized or eliminated. When configured with athermally responsive mechanical actuator 12, the unit 10 can also beused in areas with limited access to electrical power.

As described above, the units 10 can be mounted and “hidden” to avoidimpact damage from moving equipment and commodities. Additionally,because the units 10 can be flexibly mounted for desired application ofthe agent 16, the units can be positioned to protected commodities,equipment or other items of varying dimensions or non-uniform shape.This can be particularly advantageous in protecting large equipment orvehicles such as boats stored dry in rack-type bays, mining equipment orparking garages. Moreover, because the preferred systems and unitspreferably use controlled volumes of dispersed agent 16 and in someembodiments a dry agent, there is no concern about collecting water inthe compartments of the stored commodities, vehicles or equipment. Thiscan minimize or eliminate the danger to personnel from storage racksoverloaded with water collected in the compartments of, for example, thestored boats.

While the present invention has been disclosed with reference to certainembodiments, numerous modifications, alterations, and changes to thedescribed embodiments are possible without departing from the sphere andscope of the present invention, as defined in the appended claims.Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention not be limited tothe described embodiments, but that it has the full scope defined by thelanguage of the following claims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fire protection unit comprising: an actuator; afire detector to signal operation of the actuator; a fixed volume supplyof compressed gas defining an internal pressure and supply duration, thesupply being coupled to the actuator for controlled release of thecompressed gas; a fixed volume source of firefighting agent coupled tothe fixed volume supply of compressed gas; and a manifold coupled to anddownstream of the fixed volume source of firefighting agent fordispersing the firefighting agent, the manifold defining a linearlongitudinal axis downstream of the fixed volume source of firefightingagent, an internal passageway and a plurality of openings in fluidcommunication with the internal passageway and spaced apart along themanifold for distribution of the firefighting agent upon the operationof the actuator to release the compressed gas supply and pressurize themanifold with the agent along the internal passageway of the manifold,the actuator axially aligned with the manifold along the longitudinalaxis, the fixed volume supply of compressed gas and the fixed volumesource of firefighting agent axially aligned with the manifold along thelongitudinal axis.
 2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the firefightingagent comprises one of water, a liquid agent, or a dry chemical agent.3. The unit of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes an electronicallyoperated actuator and a mechanical backup.
 4. The unit of claim 1,further comprising at least one connector for electricallyinterconnecting the fire protection unit to one of a controller, adetector or another fire protection unit.
 5. The unit of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of tubes, each tube coupled to one of theplurality of openings of the manifold.
 6. The unit of claim 1, whereinthe fire protection unit is installed for fire protection of in-rackstorage.
 7. A fire protection system for a fixed space, the systemcomprising: a controller; at least one fire detector in communicationwith the controller; and at least one fire protection unit independentlypositioned to protect the space, the at least one unit including: anactuator coupled to the controller, the controller signals operation ofthe actuator based on a detection signal from the at least one firedetector; a fixed volume supply of compressed gas defining an internalpressure and supply duration, the supply being coupled to the actuatorfor controlled release of the compressed gas; a fixed volume source offirefighting agent coupled to the fixed volume supply of compressed gas;and a manifold coupled to and downstream of the fixed volume source offirefighting agent for dispersing the firefighting agent, the manifolddefining a linear longitudinal axis downstream of the fixed volumesource of firefighting agent, an internal passageway and a plurality ofopenings in fluid communication with the internal passageway and spacedapart along the manifold for distribution of the firefighting agent uponthe operation of the actuator to release the compressed gas supply andpressurize the manifold with the agent along the manifold, the actuatoraxially aligned with the manifold along the longitudinal axis, the fixedvolume supply of compressed gas and the fixed volume source offirefighting agent axially aligned with the manifold along thelongitudinal axis.
 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the fixed space isdefined by a structural frame member having a length and a widthdefining the boundary of the frame member, the at least one fireprotection unit being disposed within the boundary defined by the lengthand the width.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the fixed space is abay of rack storage, the at least one fire protection unit includes aplurality of fire protection units protecting at least one of: one bay,two rows or single row of rack storage.
 10. The system of claim 9,wherein the system provides for fire protection of storage up to aheight up to at least 110 feet.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein theat least one fire protection unit includes a plurality of fireprotection units, the plurality of fire protection units beinginterconnected with one another and the controller.
 12. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the at least one fire detector signals the controllerat an incipient stage of a fire, the controller operating the actuatorin response to define an early response of the system to a fire.
 13. Thesystem of claim 7, wherein the controller provides for remote monitoringof the system.
 14. The system of claim 7, wherein the fixed space is astorage occupancy storage space for vehicles, a storage occupancy or aconcealed space.